Sleep Related Amnestic Behaviors due to Zolpidem
Klinik Psikofarmakoloji Bülteni-Bulletin of Clinical Psychopharmacology June 1, 2014 Wiesław Jerzy Cubała, Alexandra Gabrielsson 11 citations
Zolpidem, a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic introduced in 1988, is widely prescribed for short-term insomnia due to its lower abuse potential than benzodiazepines. This systematic review of 47 case reports from 1966–2012 found that sleep-related amnestic behaviors, such as complex actions without memory, occur as an adverse drug reaction. Women were more frequently affected, and individuals with mood disorders or those taking concomitant monoaminergic drugs were more prone. Alcohol or other substance use was reported in only a minority of cases. The findings suggest that physicians should assess risk factors—especially female sex and concurrent monoaminergic medication—before prescribing zolpidem.